Neutrogena Hydro Boost Range

The first product that I would talk about is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Facial Wipes. I have been using the Neutrogena facial wipes from other ranges since a couple of years and this is one of my favorite brands when it comes to makeup removing wipes. This product is amazing, you can use it to clean off your makeup, as well as daily skin cleansing. It leaves your skin feeling clean and fresh as well as hydrated. It’s easy to use and is very gentle on the skin, especially the sensitive eye area. I have very sensitive skin and no breakout. I would definitely repurchase these.

The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Micellar Water is a bit disappointing as it does not deliver what it promises. The instructions on the bottle state that it has to be applied directly on wet face and work into a lather, whereas it doesn’t lather at all. Hence I use it with a cotton pad. It doesn’t remove all of my makeup. In fact, I have to rub my eyes vigorously, repeatedly to remove my eye makeup. So I use it as a toner instead and it feels lovely and hydrating on the skin, so it won’t dry your skin out. It smells really nice! It’s kind of bubblegum-like scent which I’m guessing is added fragrance, but it’s light and inoffensive.

The final remover product is the Hydro Boost Water Gel Cleanser which is nice enough and certainly has its place for anyone who likes lightly foaming, wash-off cleansers and it leaves skin feeling deeply cleansed. Although it’s not as hydrating as other products from this range and ironically it’s drying me up, causing tightness after I wash my face with this. But I manage to balance it out by applying the hydrator right away.

The really exciting products are the hydrators.  There’s a lighter one and a slightly heavier one, but to be honest, I think as long as you’re okay with the silicones then even the very spot-prone would be fine with either.

The Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturiser is the lighter of the two. It’s a cool, pale blue cream that jiggles ever so slightly when you move the jar and feels like liquid to the touch.

It has a pleasantly aquatic scent—crisp and watery—and absorbs instantly. In fact, that happens so fast, you might wonder if you really put it on, if your skin didn’t also feel quenched and immediately softer. It’s a light gel that really hydrates and can be layered for more impact. In winters,  I like to apply a thick layer of this, let it sink in and add another layer. I use this as a day cream.

The final product is the Hydro Boost Gel Cream Moisturiser, which, as the name accurately suggests, is a richer cream that still has the gel-like feel and finish.

It’s described as suited to an extra-dry skin, but I think the chronic dry skin wouldn’t receive a huge benefit from this unless they had layered up on the serums and oils first. This is an amazing choice for those who are dehydrated, post-treatment and generally struggle with getting a good hit of moisture without making other skin problems worse. I use this as a night cream on top of my serum.

But if I were to pick one between the two, I honestly can’t decide as I find them both great for my problematic skin, but since I have a combination skin, I would rather choose the Gel Cream.

As a general rule, I’d say the water gel is best for oily and/or younger skins (or as a sleep mask layered on other products) and the gel cream works for combination types who have a hard time finding a balance for their skin.

In conclusion, I would say that The Hydro Boost range is an extremely impressive collection from Neutrogena that really does deliver on its promise of hydration and, most importantly, is particularly well suited to awkward skin types that struggle with a multitude of issues. But I would also add that the benefits are temporary hydration because of the low amount of hyaluronic acid present in them. Hence these products won’t improve the condition of your skin in the long run.  Well done, Neutrogena.